OK, couldn't resist any longer. We had oak-grilled burgers the last two days, so tonight I grilled some portobello 'shrooms ... Stuffed the caps with cloves of fresh garlic and pinenuts, drizzled on some Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette, served up with baked tomatoes (tops cut off, covered with grated parmesan and butter), sweet corn on the cob, blackeyed peas. All the veggies were fresh.

The wine was decanted an hour before dinner, but that wasn't nearly long enough. Delightful nose of muted wildflowers with a touch of cigar ash and new calfskin.... but the palate was lacking - crushed berries over a bed of very harsh tannins. Better after another hour.... but this puppy needs time.

Tried one last night with smoked Pike's Peak roast and mixed veggies with Idaho spuds. Holy cow, this thing is sleeping as soundly as Rip van Bucko at a PTA meeting! Decanting for two hours didn't help, it's out cold. Will try again next year.

Tried it again tonight with pot roast, gumbo and yellow squash. Decanted an hour before dinner, should have been double that, but developing nicely. Nose is wonderful, with cigar ash and black currant; same coming through on the palate, but tannins are still harsh and needing time. Patience, patience.

Finally popped one tonight to check on progress. Yee-haa! It's finally waking up! Nose is the same, with a bit more fruit (raspberries) on chocolate, touch of cedar.... palate is now echoing the nose, but just a bit subdued still. Promising, promising. With NY strips, oven fries, brocolli, yellow squash, finished with a square of Girardelli dark chocolate. And later, blueberry cobbler a la mode. Criminal! (burp)

Had another with grilled ribeyes tonight (with oven fries and green beans). This sucker seems like it must have dozed off again! Can't duplicate July's TN..... it's OK, just not ringing bells. The fruit's sleepy, not much structure, no pronounced character. "Hollow" is the best I can come up with to describe it. Will pull another sometime next year.

Had another tonight with oak-grilled NY strips, lil taters, carrots, onions, baked beans. Seems to be TOIG. Notes from a year ago still apply, no fading at all, just a deeee-lightful cup o' juice. Finished with dark chocolate (72% cocoa) with raspberries; perfect!